‘Game of Thrones’ needs to be watched more than once

When talking about HBO’s hit show “Game of Thrones,” it’s best to get straight to the point. With its blend of clever writing, in-depth character development and intricately woven storylines, it’s not the type of show that can be fully appreciated with a single viewing.

You have to watch an episode. Watch it again. And perhaps watch it again to fully absorb the episode. Game of Thrones thrives on providing stories within stories, and the clues to future developments are often subtle with intention.

In fact, after watching the 10-episode second season live on HBO, I went back and re-watched the first season on DVD and it made it better.

While the first season limited itself to mostly the storylines of the noble Stark family of the North, the exploits of a fat, drunken, skirt-chasing King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) and the incest-loving, evil Lannisters, the second season blows the doors open with the introduction of four additional families fighting to rule the Iron Throne after Baratheon’s untimely demise.

His sadistic son Joffrey (Jack Gleeson), who isn’t recognized as a true heir because he isn’t a true Baratheon, sits on the throne only as a result of the cunning of his queen mother Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey).

Still in exile on the Island of Essos, fan-favorite Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) makes the full transformation into a proven leader. Starting the season off weak and with her people near death, she emerges as a true threat to the crown with the ability to harness the full power of her dragons and control of the city of Karth.

Season 2 also introduces us to House Greyjoy of the Iron Islands and their cunning ways. When Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) pulls a Benedict Arnold on the Starks, the salty dog pirates of the North prove that while they may not have the might to rule Westeros on their own, they can certainly create chaos for those that may.

Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) arrives on the scene with an army and a mysterious, creepy witch by his side and believes he has the rightful claim to the throne. After ridding himself of brother Renly — who also established claim to the throne — in one of the most unusual executions from the most unusual source you will ever see on film.

A proven veteran of war, Stannis even gets to the gates of King’s Landing in his assault before he’s forced to signal retreat in the series’ budget-busting episode “Battle of Blackwater Bay” that features some amazing sequences of battle.

The conflict between the Stark and Lannister houses deepens.

Robb Stark (Richard Madden), the “King of the North,” proves to continue his mastery of military command while Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), the patriarch of his family, searches for ways to stop his marching army.

The blend between the two comes in the form of Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), Rob’s younger sister, who was captured and put into service as Lannister’s cup bearer, although she keeps her identity hidden. Arya also develops an interesting friendship with a mysterious, shape-shifting assassin that aids in her eventual escape.

The Night’s Watch has moved beyond the sanctity of the Wall in its pursuit of a growing army of “Wildings,” and Jon Snow (Kit Harington) struggles to cope with the seriousness of his situation. Constantly surrounded by danger, he becomes separated from his party and forms the start of a dynamic relationship with one of his female enemies that he didn’t have the stomach to kill. It turns out, the Wildings may be the least of the Watch’s problems, as an undead army of “White Walkers” has awoken and has begun its march to battle.

And yet, the glue that holds the entire series together is its tiniest piece in the form of Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), the misfit dwarf of the family that may be the smartest man in all of Westeros. As acting “Hand of the King,” Tyrion, with trusted sell-sword Bronn (Jerome Flynn) by his side, proves to be the savior during Stannis’ assault of the city and his presence brings a sense of sanity to the situation. Dinklage won an Emmy in 2011 for his portrayal of the character, and his work in Season 2 was equally effective.

Season 2 also yields surprises in the introduction of many other side characters that are destined to become key future storyline figures.

According to the hacking web site TorrentFreak, the first season of Game of Thrones was the most pirated TV series in 2012. I suppose that’s high praise of a sort, but I don’t recommend it.

Additional features: Too much to really list with extensive audio commentary, in-episode guides to the action and elaborate histories of the characters, religions and family histories of Westeros. The features are almost an additional Game of Thrones season onto themselves.

Warning: Just like its predecessor, Season 2 contains a lot of nudity and sex that can at times feel excessive, but it mostly fits in appropriately with the overall story.